Concept of Hero in

Filipino Culture
and History
WMSU Prepared by: Esterlita G. Behic
Lesson outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:

1. trace the Filipino concept of hero/bayani through
times;
2. analyze the criteria set by the nation in recognizing
heroes; and
3. Assess the heroism of Rizal using the definitions
and criteria of heroes.
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 What is Hero?
• According to traditional western
dictionaries ,hero is normally defined as an
illustrious warrior, often a divine descent with
great strength (lakas) or ability (kakayahan),
and fortitude in suffering, who is supposed to
be exalted after death.

• Being an extraordinary person and

individualistic is apparent.
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 The Filipino Concept of Hero
• The concept of Filipino towards the Hero is a much broader
concept
• According to Zeus Salazar ,albeit stripped of grandeur known
as Bayani, Magani,Bagani, or Wani (kawani or government
employee) in various Filipino ethno-linguistic groups, a hero in
early Filipino societies was just a normal warrior of the
community.
• His simple tasks were based on daily needs of the village .
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 Pangangayaw
• Pangangayaw (pang-aagaw/pagnanakaw) or raiding into
unallied territory (isang uri ng pagsugod) is an examples
of this.
• According to William Henry Scott pangangayaw was
done because of four reasons.
1. To secure resources, ranging from the occasional used
goods or bounty of human slaves;
2. To avenge a personal affront or family honor;
3. To fulfill mourning requirements to which the life of
the enemies must be sacrificed and lastly;
4. For personal prominence or a mercenary reward. 5
• It is important to point out that a Bayani does
not work alone, he or she always exerts efforts
together with his/her comrades in the
community.
• The root word of Bayanihan is bayan.
(community/town/nation).

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• When pangangayaw is done, the group of bayani
returns home; thus, fulfilling what Zeus Salazar said
about the bayani as a person who leaves his/her town
and then returns.

• The tattoo used as the protection

of kaluluwa (soul) of a bayani,
his kris/kampilan (weapon),
his putong (head gear), and other
garments colored red are his
iconic physical features.
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• Early Filipino heroes were neither savage nor
blood- thirsty killing machines.
• A bayani is more often than not a true kawani or
lingkod-bayan (community servant) who renders
his/her help to those in need in the community
without counting the cost.
• His/her ultimate goal is to maintain peace and
order.
• The concept of ipabayani (free labor offered to/by
someone) proves the semantic essence of Bayani.
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Characteristics of Early Filipino Heroes
• The boxer Coder (1590), an ancient document about the early
Philippine societies, defines a Bayani as a person with high
status and dignity.
• Pedro Serrano Laktaw elaborates the personality of a Bayani;
a person who fears no one (walang takot), courages
(matapang), firm (matibay), bold (mapangahas), but quiet
(tahimik), and calm (mahinahon).
• The qualities of the main character of the stories Lam Ang,
Labaw Donggon, Tuwaang, etc., on the other hand represents
the actual bayani.
• The concept of a Filipino Hero in early Philippine societies is
not a posthumous award given to dead people, but rather an
honorific role and title in the society. 9
• Nevertheless, changes occurred when the
Spaniards conquered the Philippines. Instead of
living a role model, the Spaniards had
introduced the image of obedience of saints and
disciples whom the Filipinos had to imitate in
order to be good colonial.
• Vida Sancti or the lives of dead saints became
the foundation of good qualities of life.
• Doctrina Christiana or prayer and doctrine
books became a textbook of faith.
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• The Americans, propagated a secular view of heroes.
• Hero-worshipping of American soldiers who died during the
Philippine-American War like Gen. Henry W. Lawton, Col.
Harry Egbert was promoted through monuments and annual
commemoration rituals to justify the need for American
tutelage in the Philippines.
• Jose by Rizal who was executed by the Spaniards became the
leading National Hero.
• A modern-day concept of the Indigenous Bayani still exists
today.
• The OFWs are considered as the Bagong Bayani.
• The concept of the Filipino Bayani is indeed embedded in the
blueprint of Filipino well-being.

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Criteria for Recognizing Heroes

• The National Historical Commission of the Philippines

(NHCP) released some of the criteria for recognizing a
hero. The criteria are listed below:
I. The extent of a person’s sacrifice for the welfare of the
country (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965);
II. The motive and methods employed in the attainment
of the ideal.
III. The moral character of the person concerned.
IV. The influence of the person concerned on his/her age
and or the succeeding age.
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Criteria for Recognizing Heroes
V. Those who have a concept of a nation and thereafter aspire and
struggle for the nation’s freedom (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993);
VI. Those who define and contribute to a system of life of
freedom and order for nation.
VII. Those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of
nation.
VIII. A part of people expression (Alfredo Lagmay 1995);
IX. Person who thinks of the future, specially the future
generations and;
X. The choice of a national hero involves not only the recounting
of an episode or events in history, but of the entire process that
made this particular person a hero.
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 Rizal as a Filipino Hero
• Jose Rizal as a hero is state-
sponsored through the Republic
Act1425 (Rizal Law).
• His heroism however is not post
World War II phenomenon.
• It is documented that during the
meeting of the Katipunan, a portrait
of Rizal was hanging in the room
where members were made to believe
that Rizal was an honorary member of
the secret society.
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• The Americans realizing the possibilities of a Rizal cult in
their colonial agenda, seized the opportunity and made
Rizal the “national” hero of the Philippines
• They had three criteria used in the selection:
I. A hero who is not violent and militant, and if possible,
preferred peaceful means like education;
II. A hero who had no qualms on American Imperialism;
and
III. A hero who is already dead.
• And its obvious here that Del Pilar, Bonifacio, and
Aguinaldo are not qualified as heroes.
• In 1901, William H. Taft, President of the Second
Philippine Commission had appointed Rizal to embody
the brand of nationalism propagated by the American
colonial government. 15
• There was no actual law during the American Regime that
explicitly declared Rizal as the official hero of the country.
• Three steps made by the American colonial government to promote
his heroism, namely:
I. The creation of Rizal province.
II. The erection of Rizal Monument and;
III. The declaration of Rizal Day on December 30 as a public holiday.

• In 1995, amidst the preparation of the nation for the upcoming

centennial celebration of the Philippine Independence Day, the
National Heroes Committee created by President Fidel V. Ramos
released a list of recommended national heroes.

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 These were as follows:
1. Jose Rizal
2. Emilio Aguinaldo
3. Andres Bonifacio
4. Marcelo H. del Pilar
5. Apolinario Mabini
6. Sultan Kudarat
7. Juan Luna
8. Melchora Aquino
9. Gabriela Silang

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• The aforementioned list is not yet approved.
• The websites of the National Commission on the
Culture and Arts states that “this might trigger flood
of requests for proclamations” and might “trigger
bitter debates involving historical figures were
instead passed into law.
• Today, there are four major national celebrations with
Rizal as an important subject: June 12 (Independence
day), June 19 (Birth Anniversary), last week of
August (National Heroes Week), and December 30
(Rizal day).

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Thank you!

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